Highlights

Discovering the luxuriant Lot Valley with its ever-changing landscapes.

Staying in the charming towns of Estaing and St Côme d’Olt.

Appreciating the camaraderie of fellow hikers and pilgrims.

Walking through the stark, high plateau of Aubrec.

Walk Stage 2 of the Camino Le Puy Way through the south west of France from Nasbinals to Conques.

This is an ancient pilgrimage route that takes you along the Grand Randonnée 65 and through contrasting landscapes from the high plateau of the Aubrac to the lush valley of the Lot.

Beginning your journey in Nasbinals, the route then takes you through the stark, high plateau of the Aubrec and onto St Côme d’Olt and Estaing in the upper valley, part of which is the Pays d’Olt, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your trip finishes in Conques, a village that clings to the walls of a steep ravine. Discover its narrow lanes, old, timber-frame houses and St. Foy Abbey Church, a triumph of Romanesque art.

Day 1: Arrive Nasbinals and overnight

Arrive in Nasbinals and settle in to your comfortable hotel. Explore this charming town where there is a superb 14th century Romanesque church built of brown basalt.

Dinner & Overnight: Nasbinals

Day 2: Walk to St Chely d’Aubrec

Begin your walk by making your way down the Boraldes Valley and then pass through the village of Aubrac, which was founded in 1120 by a Flemish knight, Adelard de Flandres. Then pass a large wooden cross and head along a grassy track which becomes a walled lane and walk into the hamlet of Belvezet. Cross the Aude and descend steadily into St Chely d’Aubrec, your final destination for today.

Walk: 17 km

Dinner & Overnight: St Chely d’Aubrec

Day 3: Walk to St Come d’Olt

At the heart of the village of St Chely d’Aubrec is the church, extended in the 19th century and which holds two incredible altar pieces, a copy of the painting The Descent from the Cross by Rubens and a 14th century bas-relief representing Christ and his Apostles, exhibited at the Musée du Louvre in 2009. See these exquisite pieces of art before crossing the old bridge over the Boraldes River and continuing into the the heart of the Lot Valley.

Walk: 16 km

Dinner & Overnight: St Come d’Olt

Day 4: Walk to Estaing

Today’s incredible walk between St Côme d’Olt and Estaing in the upper valley, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Pitched roofs of hand-hewn tiles called lauzes blend in harmony with bejeweled Romanesque churches along this pilgrim route to Compostela. Ancient vineyards here are spread out along terraces and on arrival in Estaing you cross the famous Pont Gothique and see the wrought iron cross and the statue of Francois d’Estaing.

Walk: 16 km

Dinner & Overnight: Estaing

Day 5: Walk to Espeyrac

This morning includes a 350 m ascent to Golinhac were you will find the Church of St Martin set on the site of a 9th century Benedictine abbey. From here pass through small hamlets and spot wooden balconies of old riverside tanneries, window boxes full of colourful geraniums and prosperous bourgeois town houses.

Walk: 25 km

Dinner & Overnight: Espeyrac

Day 6: Walk to Conques

Walk through woods climbing quite steeply and then veer off on a lane that directs you alongside the woods and which undulates between fields. Pass Fontromieu and the Church of Saint-Marcel before arriving in Conques, a village that rises steeply from a conch-shaped valley. As today is a relatively short walking day you will be able to spend the remainder of your day in Conques.

Walk: 13 km

Dinner & Overnight: Conques

Day 7: Onward Travel

Bid farewell to the Camino Le Puy today. After breakfast check out of your hotel and make your onward journey.

Accommodation

On your 6 night, 7 day Nasbinals to Conques self-guided walk in France you will stay in comfortable 1 or 2* hotels. On occasion you may not have en suite rooms.

Alternate accommodation

You might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo walkers are also welcome.

Time of Year

The Camino Le Puy is best enjoyed from May to October but you can walk at any time of year. You can start on any date that suits your travel plans and you will find up to date availability on our website. Bookings from October onwards are subject to a supplementary charge as an out-of-season bag transfer service is required.

Meals

Daily breakfasts and dinners at your hotels are included. Breakfasts are buffet-style and dinners will be the “meal of the day” at the hotel. If you want a choice for dinner you can pay a supplement. You can order packed lunches at your hotel the evening before (ranging from €7 to €10) or you can buy lunch in shops, cafes and restaurants en route.

Grade & Terrain

This walk is graded moderate and includes daily walks of 15-33km.

The walk is extremely well way-marked and you will also be supplied with turn by turn route notes and detailed maps so you will have no problem following the route each day.

On the Le Puy Camino you will follow a mixture of farm/dirt tracks, minor roads and footpaths.

Navigation, Route Notes & Maps

The route is marked with white and red painted arrows but please take care at intersections. There will always be other walkers around in case you are looking for help. A detailed information pack including route notes, local information and maps will be waiting for you at your first accommodation.

Baggage Transfer

Baggage transfers are included in the Camino Le Puy trip. Your bags should be left in the reception of your accommodation every morning. Your bags will then be transferred onto your next nights’ accommodation.

Additional Nights

There is so much to see and do along the route that many of our clients choose to add extra nights along the walk either as a rest day or simply to do some extra sightseeing. If you are walking the whole route solo try not to add too many extra nights along the way as you will lose touch with those you have met.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable Travel Insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat and sun screen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Getting to Nasbinals

The best way of getting to Nasbinals is by taking a train to Aumont Aubrec and then a taxi from here to Nasbinals. There are also direct trains from Paris via Clermont Ferrand to Aumont Aubrec and more information can be found on the SNCF website. You could also fly into Lyon Airport, then take a train from Lyon to Aumont Aubrec, again via Clermont Ferrand.

Getting from Conques

From Conques you can either take a bus or a taxi to Rodez Airport (this is an unofficial website). This airport has flights on Ryanair from the UK and Air France also fly here from Paris.

Included

6 Nights in either 1 or 2* hotels

6 Breakfasts

6 Dinners

Baggage transfers

Detailed maps, a guide book and information pack.

24/7 telephone support from our UK office and our partners in France

Excluded

Travel to Nasbinals

Travel from Conques

Lunches, drinks and snacks

Personal equipment

Travel insurance

Extras

Additional nights before or after the holiday

Single room supplement if single room required.

Solo traveller supplement (if applicable)

How fit do I need to be?

This tour is suitable for most people that are in good physical condition. It is rated easy to moderate as the daily mileages are not that significant.

What type of trails does this section of the Camino Le Puy Way follow?

The path takes you over plateau's and over volcanic landscapes which
may be rocky at times. The areas you walk through are often quite remote
although you will pass small hamlets and villages from time to time. As
you are following the GR25 there will be way markers and also Camino
pilgrimage signs.

How do the baggage transfers work?

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 13kg per person.

How far in advance do I need to book?

We suggest you book as far in advance as possible as the
Camino le Puy Way is extremely popular. We will always try and accommodate late bookings but
realistically you need to book at least 6 weeks prior to departure.

What equipment do I need?

Your detailed information pack will be sent to you after you book. This has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking/cycling/trekking gear such as good walking/cycling boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.

When is the best time of year?

The tour operates between May and October although we recommend
travelling in May or June when spring wild flowers are at their peak, or
in September/October when the autumn colours are stunning. July and
August can be very hot if you are not used to walking in the heat.

What happens if I can’t walk/cycle a stage?

You can use public transport or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.

What is the best airport to fly into?

Lyon Airport is the closest international airport which is accessible to Le-Puy-en-Velay and from there by taxi to Nasbinals. You can also fly into Paris and take a train from there to Aumont Aubrec (via Clermont Ferrand) and then a taxi from here to Nasbinals. On return flyong Rodez Airport is a good option as it is served by Ryanair and is a bus or taxi ride away from Conques. For train schedules please visit the SNCF website.

ONE OF THE BEST TIMES OF MY LIFE!

5

The Camino Le Puy Way Stage 2 was one of the best experiences in my life. Us four sisters travelled from SA and Australia to join up in France. With the exception of our flight from Charles de Gaulle to Clermont-Ferrand being cancelled, everything went smoothly. Macs followed up with me as soon as they realised that we missed our first stop over. The hotels were excellent and the food absolutely great, We expected the 'Meal of the Day' to be somewhat mediocre, but it was indeed not the case. All meals were served by hospitable and friendly landlords and were three course meals on all days! The scenery on the walking tour was spectacular and the Camino route well waymarked.
I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who needs to spend some quality time together.
Macs - Rachel Lawrie and all others who dealt with our holiday were excellent, helpful and extremely professional. I will recommend you without any hesitation!
Many thanks, once again.

Karin

South Africa

2018-06-01

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A trip that we loved and will do again, another stage.

5

The stage 2 of the Camino was just for us to try to see if we would want to do more. And we loved every minute and it made it so easy to have Macs transfer the bags and make all the reservations, so all we had to do was enjoy, which was what we did! We loved the walking and the stage was so beautiful. We will surely do another stage or even try another Macs trip of the same sort.

Libby and Mike

Colorado, USA

2017-09-30

true

Stage 2 plus one day!

4

We walked stage 2 of Le Puy Way plus an extra day so we started at Aumont Aubrac instead of Nasbinals. Getting to the start was simple once we realised that there was an Airport at Rodez, accessible with Ryanair from Stansted. Organisation was easy and smooth, the transfers, hotels and luggage transfers worked flawlessly. The walk itself is strenuous in places but most of the days are shortish allowing time to explore the old villages. Hotels were comfortable and food plentiful although at times the 'Pilgrims Menu' became a little predictable. Having walked the last section of The Way of St James into Santiago this hike had more in way of interest, history and better scenery and ended in the superb setting of Conques. Not quite Santiago but not bad either with its historic Abbey. A good walk if you are reasonably fit and the route is very well waymarked. Go for it!

Jim

Mid Wales

2015-09-20

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Camino Le Puy Way: Stage 2

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Nasbinals
Day 2: Walk to St Chely d'Aubrec, 17km
Day 3: Walk to St Come d'Olt, 17km
Day 4: Walk to Estaing, 21km
Day 5: Walk to Espeyrac, 24km
Day 6: Walk to Conques, 12km
Day 7: Onward Travel

Is this tour for me?

You can either complete Stage 2 of this pilgrimage route as a self-guided walking tour in its own right, or you may complete more or all of the sections at the same time. This particular section is graded as easy to moderate. If you like staying in comfortable hotels whilst enjoying the camaraderie of fellow pilgrims and travellers then this tour is for you.

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